Ukrainian advance gives hope to Russian-Ukrainian families separated by war

Ukraine claims to control more than 1,000 km² of Russian territory in the Kursk region, thanks to its offensive launched in early August. For families on both sides of the border, this operation suggests a possible reunion.

In Ukrainian villages a few kilometres from the Russian border near Kursk, talking about relatives living in Russia is taboo. The war has separated Russian-Ukrainian families who lived on both sides of the border. Today, some are counting on the Ukrainian advance to find their relatives stuck in Russia, while Ukraine currently controls 1,250 km² of Russian territory. Since the start of this surprise operation on 6 August, the Ukrainian army has continued its advance in the Russian region of Kursk and on 20 August, Kiev claims to have gained nearly 30 km² more.

“Almost every family here, near the border, has cousins ​​and brothers, uncles and aunts who live in Russia, but people don’t want to admit it.”admits Natalia, who lives in one of these Ukrainian villages. Despite everything, she doesn’t care what people will say and wants to talk about her sister Lena and her brother-in-law, who have a house on the other side of the border, on the Russian side.

“We used to go to their house all the time at the time. We could go through the fields, there was no real border, no barbed wire. We could go by bike or on foot. And when the war started, I couldn’t go there anymore.”says Natalia. For two and a half years, here, barbed wire fields have replaced rapeseed fields.

“My sister and I haven’t seen each other since the start of the war. We only talk on the phone.”

Natalia, who lives on the Ukrainian side

to franceinfo

When the war began, Natalia could have fled this border region, but she decided to stay for her sister, and despite the danger. This Ukrainian woman continues her story, imperturbable, while a Russian kamikaze drone crashes 700 meters away: “My sister wrote to me that we will be reunited soon.”.

Both hope that the Ukrainians will reach Kursk, Russia, where Lena now lives. “I want the military to take the city of Kursk and for my sister to become a Ukrainian citizen so that we can finally be reunited. At that moment, I will hug her and cry a lot.”Natalia confides. While waiting to see her sister again, she consoles herself by watching the videos that her great-niece Nadiya sends her from Russia. A name that means “hope” in Ukrainian.